For example, our long-termer is equipped with the bumpin’ Sony sound system which sounds great. But the setup includes a toolbox-sized subwoofer that swallows a toolbox-sized portion of the trunk. (It’s available as part of the $2505 ST2 package; on our car, it’s rolled into the $4840 ST3 bundle.)

Our community engagement manager Jen Feeny owns a current-generation Focus hatchback, which we used to illustrate the difference between the cargo holds. Her car has two space-boosting qualities: No subwoofer and a thin space-saver spare tire. The ST’s spare is a full-size, 16-inch unit, which necessitates a noticeably higher cargo floor.

Curiously, Ford claims the ST has the same 23.8 cubic feet of space behind its rear seats as the regular Focus hatch, despite the ST having a load floor that’s roughly four inches higher. Still, there’s a good amount of room in either car, so go ahead and spec the Sony system if you like to rock out. You have to give a little to get a little, right?